The disbarred Slate Belt lawyer accused of stealing from his clients represented himself today and gave up his right to a preliminary hearing in the case.

Anthony J. Martino, 50, of Roseto, is accused of stealing roughly $212,000 from clients at his former law firm, Karasek and Martino in Bangor. The former public defender left the firm in July as allegations of thefts began to pour into the Northampton County District Attorney's Office.

Retired Philadelphia Judge John L. Braxton presided over Martino's court appearance today at the Northampton County Courthouse. Martino gave up his right to a preliminary hearing, but said he and Assistant District Attorney Robert Eyer had agreed to allow Martino the chance to argue against the sufficiency of evidence in the case at a later date -- something that a preliminary hearing waiver would usually prohibit.

A tentative trial date in the case is set for March 4. Braxton showed some concern this morning that Martino was representing himself without backup counsel.

"What the court is concerned about is that you're not represented this late in the game," Braxton said.

Martino said he planned on acquiring backup counsel and Braxton set a deadline. If Martino is still representing himself alone Feb. 4, the court would assign him an attorney to help with the case, Braxton said.

Martino was also formally arraigned on the charges today and Eyer exchanged evidence with him to move the case forward. A pretrial conference is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 15.